Elongation of the School Calendar

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Test scores are slowly declining across the United States. This is causing a consideration for a longer school year. If the school year calendar was elongated it would affect student learning, social life, and there would be some financial problems within schools. Schools systems whom have tried a longer school year have not had many good results. Anderson described students as being “tired, burned-out, and inattentive students” (Anderson 1). If older students in school are already not able to pay attention younger children are going to have a really tough time. Everyday you are in class for about six and a half hours imagine adding 2 more hours. Expect many grouchy students and potentially teachers being less effective in their teaching. “Reports show that more time spent in school doesn't necessarily result in higher test scores” (Tucker 1). Why waste time when their is no evidence of higher test scores? That is why you should not do it to begin with because less effective teaching and learning does not get you anywhere. “Summer breaks, they say, are needed to provide an academic respite for students’ overwrought minds and provide time with family and the flexibility to travel and study favorite subjects in more depth” (Zhao 1). Without a long enough break or resting period children and teens will not be able to travel and study the favorite subjects more. Sports, hobbies, and extracurricular activities are ways children now express themselves. Someone has to provide the world with entertainment. By just adding hours on to the school day you are taking these activities away from students. Teens students need to sustain jobs at some point of their high school year to prepare them for the life ahead while still considering sport... ... middle of paper ... ...hat would show a longer school year to be unreasonable. Tina Bruno says, “If we are really concerned and feel the kids need more academic time, we can better use that time” (Richman1). Maybe one day people will think of a longer school year as Bruno did. Works Cited Anderson, Marie. "The Negative Effects of Extending School Days." Education. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. Boyd, Hannah. "What's to Gain with a Longer School Day?" Education.com. N.p., 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2014 Richman, Talia. "School Districts Look at Extended School Days, Years." USA Today. Gannett, 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. Tucker, Kristine. "The Disadvantages of Longer School Days." Education. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014 Zhao, Emmeline. "Longer School Year: Will It Help Or Hurt U.S. Students?" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 13 Jan. 2013. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.

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